11alpha-lower alkyl-11beta, 21-dihydroxy-4, 17(20)-pregnadiene-3-ones and the 21-esters thereof



3,031,475 Patented Apr. 24, 1962 tts Fatnt r lla-LQWER ALKYL-llfi, RQXY 4,17(2)- PREdEQGRlEIADIENEQ-UNES AND TEE Z1-ETER CH3 CH8 TH (BF Gunther S. Fonken and John A. Hogg, Kalamazoo Town- F (FETCH ship, Kalamazoo County, and Barney J. Magerlein, OH OH Kalamazoo, Mich assignors to The Upjohn Company, lowcmlkyl lower alkyl 1 Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan i j x No Drawing. Filed Oct. 1, 1956, Ser. No. 612,986

3 Claims. (Cl. zen-same 10 OH This invention relates to 11ot-lower-alkylhydrocortisome and ZI-esters thereof, intermediates in the production thereof, and to a process for their production. R 0- It is an object of the present invention to provide 1111- V lower-alkyl-hydrocortisone, especially lla-rnethyl-hydro- 15 V cortisone and ZI-esters thereof. Another object is the l provision of novel intermediates in the production there CH8 CH3 of. A further ob ect 18 the provision of a process for the production thereof. Other objects will be apparent lower-alkyh HO -p:

l to those skilled in the art to which this invention per- 20 VII tains. lower-alkyl This application is a continuation-in-part of applica- HO; tion Serial Number 510,516, filed May 23, 1955, now OH Patent No. 2,880,204. 3

The 1lu-lower-alkyl-hydrocortisone and 21-esters there- 25 of, especially 11a-methyl-hydrocortisone and its 21- acetate, have anti-inflammatory activity and are useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritic and other invm 13 2213 3 d gz i s gi g g ;:g Zing: wlhereindAc is the acyl radical of a hyilrocarbgm caiboxy ic aci containing rom one to twe ve car on aoms, R r a n t, is a rocar on re ica con- The intermediate compounds, disclosed herein, the 110:- g g g gg f g s g l Call/3011 atoms and is lower'alkyl'llpzl'dihydroxy 417(2O) Pregnadiem'?" hydrogen or Ac as defined above. In Formulae III and ones and their 21-acyl0xy esters, possess sedative and IV when R is an 6,101 ether group an additional double hypotensive activity and are useful in the treatment of a in 3(4) position is pregent in the molecule hypertenslon, nervous disorders and various types of The term lowepalkyl when used herfiin means alkyl mental mness containing from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive.

The novel 1la-loWer-alkyl-hydrocorhsones and mter- The starting 1 1 4 17(2O) r n d 3 11 mediates in the production thereof may be represented 40 (Home (I) can be prepared as disclosed i {the copendjng by the followmg formulae application of Hogg, Beal and Lincoln, S.N. 345,675,

filed March 30, 1953, i.e., treatment of ll-ketoprogesterone With about a molar equivalent of sodium meth- CH3 CH oxide and an excess of diethyl oxalate in dry benzene CH2-OAC CHzO-Ac and then brominating the thus-produced sodium enolate of 1l-keto-21ethoxyoxalylprogesterone with two molar H II equivalents of bromine in methanol containing potassium f acetate. Reacting the dib-rominated product with more than two molar equivalents of sodium methoxide in the F same solvent is productive of methyl 3,11-diketo-4,17-

(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-21-oate. Refluxing this compound in methanol containing sodium methox-ide converts B it to the transisomer. Ketalizing the 3-keto group of either the cis or transisomer of methyl 3,11-dikoto-4,17-

1 r (20)-pregnadiene-21-oate with ethylene glycol in the usual manner, followed by the reduction of the ketalized l compound with lithium aluminum hydride in ether and then hydrolysis. of the ketalized reduced compound with 0H, CH dilute hydrochloric acid in acetone at room temperature,

OH;-O-R CHr-OH is productive of the corresponding cis or trans isomer of 11/3,-21-dihydroXy-4,17(20)pregnadiene-3-one. Esterirication of the 21-hydroxy group of these compounds 0 O with the usual acylating derivatives of a hydrocarboncarboxylic acid containing from one -to twelve carbon atoms,

CH inclusive, preferably acetic acid, is productive of the corresponding cis or trans isomer of 11,8-hydroxy-2l-acy1- wry-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-3-one. Oxidation of the 11- R R hydroxy group of these compounds wtih N-bromoacetamide in pyridine for eighteen hours or chromic acid IV n in acetic acid and water is productive of the correspondl ing cis or isomer of 21-acyloxy-4,17(20)-pregnadiene-3,11-dione I) v In the reactions described hereinbelow, the preferred compounds I-VIII have the 17(20)-cis configuration. The cis isomers of VII can be converted in higher yield to VIII than the corresponding trans isomers.

In carrying out the ketone protecting step, a 21-acyloxy-4,l7(20)pregnadiene-3,1l-dione (I), preferably 21- aoetoxy-4,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione, is ketalized with an a-glycol or 18-g1ycol containing from one to eight carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, .trimethylene glycol, octane-1,2-diol, to produce the 3-ketal thereof (II) wherein R is an alkylene dioxy group, or reacted with methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, under the usual enol etherification conditions, to produce a 3-enol ether thereof (II) wherein R is a 'hydrocarbouoxy radical containing from one to twenty carbon atoms, inclusive, and a double bond is present in the 3(4)-position.

The removal of the 21-ester group of the 3-ketoneprotected 21-acyloxy-5,17(20) pregnadiene-3,11-dione (II) preferably the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 2l-acetoxy- 5,l7(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione, involves a hydrolysis under the usual, alkaline conditions. Although strong alkali, e.g., sodium hydroxide, can be employed, We have found that satisfactory results are obtained when employing an alkali-metal bicarbonate, preferably in an oxygen-free atmosphere. Hydrolysis of the 2l-acyloxy group produces the corresponding 3-ketone protected 21- hydroxy-S, 17( 20) pregnadiene-3,1 l-dione (III).

The ZI-etherification step involves the conversion of the 21-hydroxy group of a 3-ketone-protected 21-hydroxy- 5,17(2 pregnadiene 3,11 dione (III), preferably 3- ethylene glycol ketal of 21-hydroxy-4,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,l1-dione, to a 2l-hydrocarbonoxy group, i.e., etherification of the 21-hydroxy group to produce the corresponding 3-ketone protected 21-hydrocarbonoxy- 5,l7(20)-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione (IV). This can be accomplished by the usual etherification procedure, e.g., 'by reaction of a hydrocarbon halide or alcohol with III. The reaction is usually performed in the presence of an aromatic heterocyclic amine when a hydrocarbon halide is employed or in the presence of boron trifluoride or ptoluenesulfonic acid when an alcohol is employed. An enol ether can also be prepared by reaction of the 21- hydroxy group with a readily enolizable ketone, e.g., dihydropyran, as disclosed in US. Patent 2,637,728. Examples of 21-ethers which can be produced are the loweralkyl ethers, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, and ar alkyl, e.g., benzyl, triphenylmethyl, etc.

An alternative route to a 3-ketalized-2l-etherified 2lhydroxy-S,17(20)-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione (IV) involves reaction of a 3-ketal of 11,8,2l-dihydroxy-S,l7(20)-pregnadiene-3-one with an etherifying agent as described above to produce a 3-ketal of 11fi-hydroxy-Z1-hydrocarbonoxy- 5,17(20)-pregnadiene-3-one and then oxidizing the 11,8- hydroxy group with chromic acid in acetic acid or N- bromoacetamide in pyridine, in the usual manner.

The alkylation step involves the reaction of a 3-ketoneprotected ZI-hydrocarbonoxy-S, 17 (20)-pregnadiene-3,1 ldione (IV), preferably the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21- triphenylmethoxy 5,17(20) [cis] pregnadiene 3,11- dione, with a lower-alkyl lithium, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl or octyl lithium, preferably methyl lithium, to produce the corresponding 3- ketone protected 11a lower alkyl 11B hydroxy- 21 hydrocarbonoxy 5,17(20) pregnadiene 3 one (V). The lower-alkyl magnesium halides ordinarily are not reactive toward the ll-keto group whereas the loweralkyl lithiums, and especially methyl lithium, react rapidly and with ease with the ll-keto group. The usual reaction conditions for an alkylation with a lower-alkyl lithium are employed. Usually a reaction temperature of about room temperature, i.e., between twenty and thirty degrees centigrade, is employed for convenience and the good results obtained, although higher temperatures have been employed with success.

The hydrolysis step involves the removal of the 3- ketone protecting group and the 21-ether group of a 3- ketone protected 11a lower alkyl 1L8 hydroxy- 21 hydrocarbonoxy 5,17(20) pregnadiene 3 one (V), preferably the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of Ila-methyl- 11,8 hydroxy 21 triphenylmethoxy 5,17(20) [cis]- pregnadiene-3-one, to produce the corresponding 11o:- lower alkyl 11fi,21 dihydroxy 4,17(20) [cis]- pregnadiene-3on (VI) according to methods known in the art, e.g., the starting ketone-protected steroid (V) is mixed with a hydrolyzin agent such as, for example, dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or other acetic hydrolyzing agent. Although both of these groups are ordinarily removed in the same reaction, their removal can be stepwise, with the 3-ketone-protecting group being removed first, if so desired. The 3-ketone protecting group is ordinarily more susceptible to hydrolysis than the Zl-ether group and is therefore more rapidly hydrolyzed to produce an lla-lower alkyl-llfi-hydroxy- 21 hydrocarbonoxy 4,17(20) pregnadiene 3 one. A ZI-tetrahydro-pyranyl ether, however, is hydrolyzed as rapidly or more so than the corresponding 3-ketoneprotecting group, thus-producing 3-ketalized a lla-loweralkyl 113,21 dihydroxy 5,17(20) pregnadiene 3- one as the intermediate compound in the hydrolysis reaction.

Esterification of an 1lu-lower-alkyl-l15,21-dihydroxy- 4,l7(2Q)-pregnadiene-3-one (VI), preferably Hot-methyl- 11[3,21 dihydroxy 4,17(20) [cis] pregnadiene 3- one with an esterifying derivative of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms is productive of the corresponding 11ot-lower-alkyl-11fi hydroxy 21 acyloxy 4,1'7(20) pregnadiene 3 one (VII). This reaction can be performed under the esterifications known in the art, e.g., by the reaction of VI with the selected acid anhydride or acid chloride or bromide of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, preferably in th resence of pyridine or like tertiary aromatic amine, or by reaction with the selected acid, in the presence of an esterification catalyst or with an ester under ester exchange conditions. Reaction conditions which are apt to affect the labile 11,B-hydroxy group should be avoided. Compounds thus-produced include the compounds represented by Formula VII wherein the 17(20) configuration is cis, the ll-lower-alkyl group is methyl and Ac is the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, e.g., formic, ropionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, isovaleric, trimethylacetic, Z-methylbutyric, 3-ethylbutyric, hexanoic, diethylacetic, triethylacetic, heptanoic, octanoic, a-ethylisovaleric, a cyclic acid, e.g., cyclopropylideneacetic, cyclopentyiformic, cyclopentylacetic, B-cyclohexylpropionic, [3-cyclopentylpropionic, cyclohexylformic, cyclo hexylacetic, an aryl or alkaryl acid, e.g., 'benzoic, 2-, 3-, or 4-methylbenzoic, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- and 3,5- dimethylbenzoic, ethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic, 2,4,6-triethylbenzoic, u-naphthoic, 3-methyl-a-naphthoic, an aralkyl, e.g., phenylacetic, phenylpropionic, diphenylacetic, triphenylacetic, etc.

The oxidative hydroxylation reaction of the present invention converts a lower alkyl 11/8 hydroxy- 21 acyloxy 4,17(20) pregnadiene 3 one (VII), preferably 11oz methyl 11,8 hydroxy 21 acetoxy- 4,17 (20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3-one, to the corresponding lloc lower alkyl 115,170: dihydroxy 21 acyloxy- 4-pregnene-3,20-dione (VIII) by reaction with a catalytic amount of osmium tetroxide and an oxygen donating oxidizing agent. Included among the oxidizing agents are hydrogen peroxide, peracids, alkyl peroxides, amine oxide peroxides, etc. The preparation of a number of these oxidizing agents and the reaction conditions which are preferably employed are discussed more fully in the copending application of Lincoln and Hogg, 476,061, filed December 17, 1954.

A preferred procedure involves employing from about two to about three molar equivalents of the oxidizing agent and less than 0.05 molar equivalent of osmium tetroxide, calculated on the starting steroid, in tertiary butyl alcohol at about room temperature.

Substituting an lloc lower alkyl 115,21 dihydroxy- 4,17(20)-pregnadieue-3-one for the corresponding 21- acyloxy compound as the starting steroid in the oxidative hydroxylation step is productive of the corresponding 11alower-alkyl-l 1,9, l7a,21-tri'hydroxy-4-pregnene-3 ,20-dione.

The following preparations and examples are illustrative of the products and process of the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting.

PREPARATION l The 3-Ethylene Glycol Ketal of 21-Acet0xy-5,17(20)- [cis] Pregnadiene-3,1 1 -Dine (II) A solution of 0.50 gram (1.35 millimoles) of 21-acetoxy-4,l7(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,ll-dione, prepared as disclosed in the copending application of Hogg et al., S.N. 345,675, ten milligrams of para-toluenesulfonic acid and two milliliters of ethylene glycol in 100 milliliters of benzene was refluxed for six hours with concomitant removal of the water of reaction by passing the return condensate through a bed of calcium carbide. The cooled solution was then washed with an aqueous four percent solution of sodium bicarbonate, water and then dried. The dried solution was distilled at reduced pressure leaving a yellow oil which soon crystallized. The crystals were recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and Skellysolve B (hexane hydrocarbons) to give 0.27 gram of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21-acetoxy-5,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,1l-dione melting at 160 to 162 degrees centigrade. and having the analysis below.

Calculated for C H O C, 72.43 H, 8.27. C, 72.11; H, 8.44.

PREPARATION 2 The 3-Ethylene Glycol Ketal of 21-Hydr0xy-5,17(20)- [cis] Pregnadiene-3,11-Di0ne (III) To a solution of ten grams (0.024 mole of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21-acetoxy-5,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3, ll-dione in 1,500 milliliters of absolute methanol, in a nitrogen atmosphere, was added a solution of ten grams (0.1 mole) of potassium bicarbonate in 100 milliliters of water at a temperature of about 25 degrees centigrade. The mixture was stirred for one hour and then maintained at room temperature for eighteen hours, in a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was distilled to a small volume at reduced pressure and then diluted with stirring with 500 milliliters of water. Crystals precipitated from the mixture which were filtered, washed with water, and dried to give 8.46 grams of the 3-ethy1ene glycol ketal of 21- hydroxy-5,17(20)[cis]-pregnadiene-3,11-dione melting at 109 to 111.5 degrees centigrade. Recrystallization of this product from fifty percent aqueous methanol gave crystals melting at 113.5 to 115 degrees centigrade and having the analysis below.

Calculated for C H O C, 74.16; H, 8.66. Found: C, 74.05; H, 8.95.

Found PREPARATION 3 The 3-Ethylene Glycol Ketal of 21 -Triphenylmethoxy- 5,17(20)-[cis] -Pregnadiene-3,11-Di0ne (IV) A solution of 5.38 grams (0.144 mole) of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21-hydroxy-5,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3,11-dione and 4.4 grams of triphenylmethyl chloride in seventy milliliters of dry pyridine was maintained at about 25 degrees centigrade for 52 hours. The solution was then poured into a mixture of ice and water and then extracted with a 1:1 mixture of ether and benzene followed by extractions with three 100-milliliter portions of ether. The combined extracts were washed several times with water and then dried with anhydrous potassium carbonate. The dried solution was distilled to dryness leaving a glass which was crystallized from methanol to give 6.19 grams of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21-triphenylmethoxy 5,l7(20) [cis] pregnadiene 3,11- dione melting at to 198 degrees centigrade. Recrystallization from a mixture of ether and methanol raised the melting point to 201 to 203 degrees centigrade. These crystals had the analysis below.

Calculated for C H O C, 82.05; H, 7.54. Found: C, 81.99; H, 7.47.

EXAMPLE 1 The 3-Ethylene Glycol Ketal of 11 a-Methyl-JI fi-Hydroxy- 21 T riphenylmethoxy 5,17(20) [cis] Pregnadiene- 3-one (V) To a solution of 300 milligrams of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 21-triphenylmethoxy-5, 17 (20) [cis] -pregnadiene- 3,11-dione in five milliliters of anhydrous benzene in a dry atmosphere of nitrogen was added ten milliliters of a 0.33 molar solution of methyl lithium in anhydrous ether. The sealed container containing the solution was maintained for three days at about 25 degrees centigrade. The solution was diluted with benzene and then washed with six milliliters of a 1:5 solution of acetic acid in water and then with several portions of water. The benzene solution was dried and then distilled to dryness. The residue was chromatographed over a thirty gram column of Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate). The column was developed with sixty-milliliter portions of Skellysolve B (hexane hydrocarbons) containing increasing proportions of acetone. A 294 milligram yield of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of 1lol-methyl-lLB-hydroxy-Z1 triphenyhnethoxy-5, 17 (20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3-one was eluted from the column with Skellysolve B plus five percent acetone. The thus-purified material was recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol to give product melting at 182 to 184 degrees centigrade and having the analysis below.

Calculated for C H O C, 81.87; H, 7.93. Found: C, 81.90; H, 7.95.

EXAMPLE 2 1 1 wMethyl-l 15,21 -Dihydr0xy-4,1 7(20)-[cis]- Pregnadiene-3-one (VI) A suspension of 200 milligrams (0.32 millimoles) of the 3-ethylene glycol ketal of Ila-methYl-l113-11YdIOXY-21-triphenylmethoxy-5,17(20)-pregnadiene3-one in twenty milliliters of methanol containing one milliliter of 1 N hydrochloric acid was stirred at room temperature for two days, during which time the suspended solid gradually dissolved. The solution was mixed with fifteen milliliters of 1.3 percent aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then evaporated to dryness. The residue was triturated with thirty milliliters of benzene. The benzene solution was poured over a thirty gram column of Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate). The column was developed with sixty milliliter portions of solvent of the following composition and order: six of Skellysolve B (hexane hydrocarbons), six of Skellysolve B plus five percent acetone, six of Skellysolve B plus ten percent acetone, six of Skellysolve B plus 25 percent acetone and six of acetone. The middle four Skellysolve B plus 25 percent acetone eluate fractions contained 78 milligrams of 11a-methyl-11fl,2ldihydroxy-4,17(20)-[cis]-pregnadiene-3-one which, when recrystallized from ethyl acetate, melted at 188 to 192 degrees Centigrade and had the analysis below.

Calculated for C l-1 0 C, 76.70; H, 9.36. Found: C, 76.31; H, 9.50.

EXAMPLE 3 IIfi-Hydroxy-l 1 a-Methyl-ZlAcetoxy-4,17(20)-[cis]- Pregnadiene-3-0ne (VII) A solution of about 2000 milligrams of 11p,21-dihydroxy-l 1a-methyl-4, 17 (20) -[cis] -pregnadiene-3-one in 25 milliliters of pyridine was mixed with 25 milliliters of acetic anhydride and the whole was then maintained at room temperature for three days whereafter the mixture was poured over crushed ice. The precipitated oily 11/3- hydroxy 11a methyl 21 acetoxy 4,17(20) [cis]- pregnadiene-3-one was recovered by extraction with methylene chloride and then chromatographed over a column of fifty grams of Florisil (synthetic magnesium silicate). The column was developed with 350-milliliter portion of Skellysolve B (hexane hydrocarbons) containing increasing percentages of acetone. The eluate fractions containing seven percent acetone eluted 1.994 grams of 11/3 hydroxy 11a methyl 21 acetoxy 4,17(20)- [cis] -pregnadiene-3-one which, when crystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and Skellysolve B, melted at 107- 113 degrees centigrade.

Similarly, other 21-organic carboxylic acid esters of 1113,21 -dihydrox 11a-methyl 4,1'7(20) [cis] pregnadiene-3-one are prepared wherein the 21-acyloxy group is formyloxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy, valeryloxy, hexanoyloxy, heptanoyloxy, octanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, phenylacetoxy, or the like, by contacting 115,21-dihydroxy- 11a-methyl-4,17(20)-pregnadiene 3 one with an appropriate acylating agent, e. g., the anhydride or acid halide of the selected acid in a solvent such as, for example, benzene, toluene, acetic acid, or the like.

EXAMPLE 4 1 1 a-MethyI-J 15,] 7a-Dihydr0xy-21-Acetoxy4-Pregnene- 3,20-dine (VH1) To a solution of 681 milligrams of llon-methy'l-llfi-hydroxy-2l-acetoxy-4,l7(20){cis]-pregnadiene 3 one dissolved in 33.5 milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol was added 0.4 milliliters of pyridine followed by a solution of 730 milligrams of N-methyl-morpholine oxide peroxide in 3.47 milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.56 milligram of osmium tetroxide in 1.02 milliliter of tertiary butyl alcohol. The N-methylmorpholine oxide peroxide was prepared by the reaction of N-methylmorpholine with two molar equivalents of hydrogen peroxide in tertiary butyl alcohol. The mixture was maintained at about 25 degrees centigrade for twenty-five hours and then mixed with 370 milligrams of Magnesol filter aid and 9.2 milliliters of aqueous 0.5 percent sodium hydrosulfite solution. After one-half hour the mixture was filtered and most of the tertiary butyl alcohol distilled from the filtrate at reduced pressure and at a temperature less than sixty degrees centigrade. The concentrate was diluted with about 35 milliliters of water and extracted with four 25-miililiter portions of methylene chloride. The combined extracts were washed with sixty milliliters of water, filtered through anhydrous sodium sulfafte and concentrated to dryness at reduced pressure. The resultant oil was redissolved in methylene chloride and chromatographed over a column of fifty grams of acid-washed alumina, the height: diameter ratio of the column being about 4:1. Elution was carried out by a solvent gradient technique. The initial eluting solvent was methylene chloride. The initial volume of solvent in the reservoir above the column was 1,000 milliliters. This volume was maintained constant by the gradual addition of 800 mil liliters of methylene chloride plus twenty percent acetone. When this solvent had all been added to the reservoir, 800 milliliters of methylene chloride plus sixty percent acetone was added to the reservoir in the same manner. When this solvent had all been added to the reservoir, he solvent gradient elution of the column was stopped, the solvent remaining in the reservoir discarded and the column was stripped with methanol. The deproduct was obtained by evaporation of the 1,150 milliliters of eluates which immediately preceded the methanol eulates. The 268 milligrams of crude product thus-obtained was crystallized from ethyl acetate to give 1la-methyl-l1,8,l7a-dihydroxy-21-acetoxy 4 pregnene- 3,20-dione melting at 192 to 197 degrees Centigrade.

EXAMPLE 5 11' rx-Methyl-l 1,8,1 7on2]-Trihydroxy-4-Pregnene-3,20- Dione (VIII) A solution of 418 milligrams of lla-methyl-hydrocortisone acetate in four milliliters of methanol was freed of oxygen gas by bubbling nitrogen therethrough. A solution of 404 milligrams of potassium bicarbonate in four milliliters of water was similarly freed of oxygen. The two solutions were mixed at a temperature of between eighteen and twenty degrees centigrade and in a nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature of the solution rose to between 24 and 26 degrees centrigrade. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for five hours while protecting it from atmospheric oxygen with nitrogen. At the end of five hours the solution was neutralized with very dilute acetic acid. The neutralized solution was concentrated by distillation at room temperature and then chilled in a refrigerator for about sixteen hours. The thus-precipitated lla-methyl-hydrocortisone was filtered, washed with ice Water and then dried.

llct-methyl-hydrocortisone can also be prepared by substituting Ila-methyl-l 1fi,21-dihydroxy-4,l7 (20) [cis] pregnadiene-3-one as the starting steroid in Example 4.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operations described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A compound selected from the group consisting of 1 la lower-alkyl-l 1 3,21=dihydroxy-4,17(20) -pregnadiene- 3-one represented by the following formula:

CHe-OH H 1ower-allryl H References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hogg et al July 13, 1954 Hogg et a1 June 26, 1956 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF 11A - LOWER-ALKYL-11B,21-DIHYDROXY-4,17(20)-PREGNADIENE3-ONE REPRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: AND THE 21-ACYLOXY ESTERS THEREOF WHEREIN THE ACYL RADICAL IS THAT OF A HYDROCARBON CARBOXYLIC ACID CONTAINING FROM ONE TO TWELVE CARBON ATOMS, INCLUSIVE. 